Gloss
Underlying
representation
pHEpp&u0279;
'pepper'
/pEpp&u0279;/
spin
'spin'
/spIn/
www.sil.org/linguistics/GlossaryOfLinguisticTerms/ WhatIsComplementaryDistributio.htm
Free variation
Free variation in linguistics is the phenomenon of two (or more) sounds or forms appearing in the
same environment without a change in meaning and without being considered incorrect by native
speakers. Examples from English include:
glottalization of voiceless stops in word-final position: for example, the word stop may be
pronounced with a plain unaspirated [p], [stp], or with a glottalized [p], [stp]
the word economics may be pronounced with /i/ or // in the first syllable; although individual
speakers may prefer one or the other, and although one may be more common in some
dialects than others, both forms are encountered within a single dialect and sometimes even
within a single idiolect
the comparative of many disyllabic adjectives can be formed either with the word more or with
the suffix -er, for example more stupid or stupider.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Free_variation
Definition
Free variation is the interchangeable relationship between two phones, in which the
phones may substitute for one another in the same environment without causing a
change in meaning.
Discussion
Free variation may occur between allophones or phonemes.
Examples (English)
In utterance-final position, there is free variation between unreleased and
aspirated plosives, as demonstrated below:
[hat|] hat
[hath] hat
In the word data, there is free variation between the phonemes /eJ/
and /Q/, as demonstrated below:
[deira] data
[dara] data
http://www.sil.org/LINGUISTICS/GlossaryOfLinguisticTerms/WhatIsFreeVariation.htm